Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Caiwei Chen @caiwei.bsky.social · Jul 29

Top Chinese universities are going all-in on AI, offering AI literacy modules, creating interdisciplinary AI degree programs, and offering locally hosted Deepseek for students. My latest:
www.technologyreview.com/2025/07/28/1...

Chinese universities want students to use more AI, not less

Unlike the West, where universities are still agonizing over how students use AI in their work, top universities in China are going all in.

www.technologyreview.com

2 4

Reposted by Caiwei Chen

MIT Technology Review @technologyreview.com · Jun 23

A Chinese venture capital firm originally developed this AI benchmark to assess its potential investments. Now it’s opening it up for anyone to use.

A Chinese firm has just launched a constantly changing set of AI benchmarks

Venture capital company Hongshan Capital Global originally developed it to assess its potential investments. Now it’s opening it up for anyone to use.

www.technologyreview.com

1 5

Caiwei Chen @caiwei.bsky.social · Jun 17

AI can get very persuasive these days, but what happens in a future where AI agents negotiate with each other? New research showed that when your agent sucks, you could lose money, and this could lead to a new kind of digital gap www.technologyreview.com/2025/06/17/1...

When AIs bargain, a less advanced agent could cost you

New research shows that in AI-to-AI price negotiations, weaker models often lose out—costing users real money and raising concerns about growing digital inequality.

www.technologyreview.com

1 3 9

Caiwei Chen @caiwei.bsky.social · Jun 5

I wrote about China's AI agent boom and think it is at least mildly better than some other articles on this same topic. You should consider giving it a read. www.technologyreview.com/2025/06/05/1...

Manus has kick-started an AI agent boom in China

A stampede of contenders and copycats has followed the launch of the general AI agent, but China’s internet restrictions have so far made it easier to cater to overseas users.

www.technologyreview.com

2 9

Caiwei Chen @caiwei.bsky.social · May 27

China's notorious CRISPR scientist He Jiankui is released from jail and seeking a comeback, with weird tweets and a new marriage with internet savvy biotech entrepreneur Cathy Tie. We looked into what's going on:
www.technologyreview.com/2025/05/23/1...

Meet Cathy Tie, Bride of “China’s Frankenstein”

The creator of CRISPR babies is flirting again with infamy, this time through a mysterious alliance with an Internet-savvy entrepreneur.

www.technologyreview.com

1 3

Caiwei Chen @caiwei.bsky.social · Apr 29

To Chinese manufacturers enraged by the Trump-era tariffs, factory TikTok is not a vanity project but a full-blown genre that’s part protest, part marketing plan, part survival strategy. I wrote about this: www.technologyreview.com/2025/04/28/1...

Why Chinese manufacturers are going viral on TikTok

They’re outraged by Trump’s tariffs and reaching out directly to US consumers.

www.technologyreview.com

1 8

Caiwei Chen @caiwei.bsky.social · Apr 9

does this mean that I, an ethically sourced Chinese good would suddenly cost twice to my American employer

1 4

Caiwei Chen @caiwei.bsky.social · Apr 7

I had the pleasure to speak with former Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks about China, AI, drones, among other topics.

www.technologyreview.com/2025/04/07/1...

How the Pentagon is adapting to China’s technological rise

A conversation with Kathleen Hicks, the former deputy secretary of defense.

www.technologyreview.com

1 5

Reposted by Caiwei Chen

James Temple @jtemple.bsky.social · Apr 3

The coming clean tech troubles:

Sweeping tariffs, an economic downturn & any loss of IRA subsidies will all be especially bad news for US climate progress.

Trump’s tariffs will deliver a big blow to climate tech

Broader economic anxieties and uncertainty over clean-energy subsidies are compounding industry fears.

www.technologyreview.com

1 5 13

Caiwei Chen @caiwei.bsky.social · Mar 27

"What would surprise me right now are critics who articulate positive visions of the art world they want to see... But those kinds of articles are harder to write and receive less attention than sensationalized negativity."
www.artnews.com/art-in-ameri...

Is Art Criticism Getting More Conservative, or Just More Burnt Out?

What the writing of Dean Kissick, Jason Farago, and Sean Tatol says about our culture.

www.artnews.com

1

Caiwei Chen @caiwei.bsky.social · Mar 27

today is the day that i remembered my bluesky password so now I am logged in on my work laptop in the future I will be posting my articles and thoughts here,, excited

1 4

Caiwei Chen @caiwei.bsky.social · Mar 27

China’s tech infrastructure push went from ghost town to ghost cloud

Niall Firth @niallfirth.bsky.social · Mar 26

some fascinating insights in this latest from @caiwei.bsky.social on the data center boom in China, and the impact of DeepSeek on the business of GPU rental there.

www.technologyreview.com/2025/03/26/1...

China built hundreds of AI data centers to catch the AI boom. Now many stand unused.

The country poured billions into AI infrastructure, but the data center gold rush is unraveling as speculative investments collide with weak demand and DeepSeek shifts AI trends.

www.technologyreview.com

2 6

Caiwei Chen @caiwei.bsky.social · Mar 17

thank you <3

1

Reposted by Caiwei Chen

Newmark J+ @newmarkjplus.bsky.social · Mar 13

A new Chinese AI chatbot is making waves — DeepSeek claims it can predict the future. 🧐

AI Journalism Lab ‘24 alum Caiwei Chen (@caiwei.bsky.social) dives into what this means for China’s AI ambitions and beyond.

Dive into the article here ↓
www.technologyreview.com/2025/03/03/1...

How DeepSeek became a fortune teller for China’s youth

AI-powered BaZi analysis has become the new oracle for a disillusioned generation seeking answers.

www.technologyreview.com

1 3

Caiwei Chen @caiwei.bsky.social · Mar 13

I reviewed Manus!

Niall Firth @niallfirth.bsky.social · Mar 12

Manus is the hot new AI agent from China—and @caiwei.bsky.social was one of the few people who got to try it out www.technologyreview.com/2025/03/11/1...

Everyone in AI is talking about Manus. We put it to the test.

The new general AI agent from China had some system crashes and server overload—but it’s highly intuitive and shows real promise for the future of AI helpers.

www.technologyreview.com

1 1 6

Caiwei Chen @caiwei.bsky.social · Mar 4

Deepseek has become the new oracle. Young people in China are reviving a traditional fortune-telling practice using the AI chatbot. They say BaZi's pattern-based structure is surprisingly compatible with a reasoning model. My latest @technologyreview.com: www.technologyreview.com/2025/03/03/1...

How DeepSeek became a fortune teller for China’s youth

AI-powered BaZi analysis has become the new oracle for a disillusioned generation seeking answers.

www.technologyreview.com

2 6

Caiwei Chen @caiwei.bsky.social · Feb 19

Very happy to have spoken with Emma Gometz at the Open Notebook about how as a journalist , I realistically use AI. An important and thorough tip sheet for reporters and newsroom executives alike:

The Open Notebook @theopennotebook.bsky.social · Feb 18

Don’t miss this AI tipsheet for journalists, from @bwfund.bsky.social fellow @emmalgometz.bsky.social, with @caiwei.bsky.social, @alexandreorrico.nucleo.jor.br, @rodneygibbs.com @nicolakimjones.bsky.social and more. 🧪

Key Questions for Journalists to Consider Before Using Generative AI - The Open Notebook

Generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT or DeepSeek, are increasingly on the lips of industry leaders in journalism. But with the technology’s opacity and rapid development, writers should carefully cons...

www.theopennotebook.com

2

Reposted by Caiwei Chen

Will Douglas Heaven @willdouglasheaven.bsky.social · Feb 5

"What began as a sprint has become a high-stakes marathon—China’s AI ambitions have never been higher."

More good stuff from @caiwei.bsky.social

www.technologyreview.com/2025/02/04/1...

Four Chinese AI startups to watch beyond DeepSeek

These companies are all in a position to compete both within China and beyond.

www.technologyreview.com

2 8

Reposted by Caiwei Chen

Kevin Hirten @kdhirten.bsky.social · Jan 31

A new AI rival from China is shaking up Silicon Valley. DeepSeek matches ChatGPT’s power but was built faster and for a fraction of the cost.

How did they do it, and what comes next?

🎙 In this episode of ‘TheTake’,
I interview MIT Tech Review reporter @caiwei.bsky.social
youtu.be/XVjUoy-jkOo

How did China’s DeepSeek outsmart ChatGPT? | The Take

YouTube video by Al Jazeera English

youtu.be

1 1

Caiwei Chen @caiwei.bsky.social · Jan 10

Thank you @talkingbiznews.bsky.social for sparing me from spreading personal news here again — but this is real and please send tips to [email protected]!

Talking Biz News @talkingbiznews.bsky.social · Jan 2

@caiwei.bsky.social joining MIT Tech Review: talkingbiznews.com/media-news/m...

MIT Tech Review hires Chen as a tech reporter - Talking Biz News

The MIT Technology Review has hired Caiwei Chen to cover China technology. She will start next week. Chen was a Rest of World reporter based in New York. She has written for more than five years about...

talkingbiznews.com

1 7

Caiwei Chen @caiwei.bsky.social · Jan 2

Let’s connect! I am particularly interested in topics including AI, EVs, quantum computing, and semiconductors these days, and am always looking to learn. Shoot me a note at [email protected] or DM me. This year will be great 🫡

4

Caiwei Chen @caiwei.bsky.social · Nov 26

Wrote about the other side.. why elon musk and tiffany fong is all over your timeline, as well as why fong's rising prominence and massive payouts reflects everything wrong with the current X algorithm. www.dailydot.com/news/tiffany...

Tiffany Fong's big X payout raises eyebrows over frequent slurs, constant Musk replies

She's racked in cash recently.

www.dailydot.com

5

Caiwei Chen @caiwei.bsky.social · Nov 19

As Bluesky grows, so do concerns about its moderation policies., as raised by community members like @mommunism.bsky.social. Palestinian users are navigating a system that’s flagging and removing accounts. I covered this for @dailydot.bsky.social: www.dailydot.com/debug/bluesk...

Bluesky's crack down on Palestine fundraisers raises concerns over app

The site is pledging fixes.

www.dailydot.com

2 8 7

Reposted by Caiwei Chen

Kevin Schoenmakers @kevinschoenmakers.bsky.social · Nov 18

I've created a Starter Pack of Greater China media people.

Please share!

DM me if you'd like to be added.

go.bsky.app/JB4exUy

6 11 25

Caiwei Chen @caiwei.bsky.social · Nov 18

I spent a lot of late nights writing to lo-fi beats, so it only made sense to write about them. For @dailydot.bsky.social, I wrote about some new mysterious Youtube channels seems to be sharing bulk-produced AI music, and the "sunofication" of this entire genre. www.dailydot.com/debug/lo-fi-...

Are the 'lo-fi beats' you're chilling to on YouTube actually made with AI?

Is your lo-fi secretly high-tech?

www.dailydot.com

2 3